Suit Lapels Guide: Notch vs. Peaked vs. Shawl Lapel

When it comes to menswear, it can sometimes seem as if styles haven’t changed much over the years, even though there’s been a few fads along the way that are perhaps best forgotten. Lapels have been the target of several fashion blunders over the years. Hands up if you remember those excruciating, extra wide “wing” lapels from the 70s which were inevitably worn together with wide bottomed long pants!

For this reason, we advise moderation and a more classic look for your suit jackets and their lapels. Leave the flashy fashion statements for your ties, shirts and other less expensive items of clothing. A suit jacket is a costly investment, so it’s essential that you pick one that won’t date too quickly and that fits your body type well. The size and shape of your lapels play a prominent role here, too.

Suit Lapel – The Basics

“Lapel” is not a word that’s in common usage these days. Some men would be hard-pressed to explain where the lapel on their suit jacket is. To keep things clear from the beginning, we’re talking about the two flaps of fabric below the collar of a coat or jacket that are folded back on themselves.

Lapels are created by folding the front edges of the garment over and stitching them to the collar. They come with a buttonhole on the left-hand side for putting a flower in. Something which today is only used at formal events such as weddings. You may not think they’re significant, but the type of lapel your suit has does have an impact. In fact, you shouldn’t buy a suit without knowing which lapel style goes with what.

A lapel should never be an afterthought. The whole reason for its placement and shape is to enhance the appearance and presence of the person wearing it, making him look more masculine by emphasizing the shoulder width.

Suit Lapel Types

The three basic kinds (or types, if you prefer) of suit lapels are: notched lapel, the peak lapel (peaked if you’re American) and the shawl lapel. There are various widths of each, from super-slim which is just over two inches wide, to super-wide, which is about five inches in width. The average lapel, however, is only around three inches wide.

The lapel is supposed to reach approximately the mid-point between the collar and the shoulders and should always reflect the proportions of both the jacket and the wearer. A big jacket for a large man should have a wider lapel. A wide lapel on a small man will usually fail to match his frame size.

The Notch Lapel

Notch lapels are the most common kind of jacket lapel. They are time-honored classics and have a long history. Known as “notched” because of the V-shaped indentation between the lapel and the collar of the jacket, they are sewn to the collar at an angle to create a step shape. This kind of lapel is a classic and goes with everything, from a smart-casual style to the formal business suit. They are certainly in no danger of going out of style.

A notch lapel jacket can be safely worn with a mismatched pair of trousers to make a more casual outfit. They are a reliable and trusted option. You can’t really go wrong with the notch variety, but you won’t stand out from the crowd, either.

Despite how easy it is to wear, there are some things you should be careful of. The size of the notch needs to match the lapel width. In other words, if the lapel is narrow, so too should the notch. But if the lapel is wider, then the wearer can get away with a bigger notch also.

Notched lapels sit better on single-breasted suits. For double-breasted suits, you’re better off getting a peaked lapel. Keep the maximum width of your lapel at four and a quarter inches. Except if you have an exceptionally large chest measurement. An extra-slim lapel looks quite stylish and fashionable. On the other hand, a three and a half to four-inch lapel looks classic and classy.

The Peaked Lapel

This type of lapel can be identified by how it extends sideways beyond the collar. They are designed to lead the eye out and up, emphasizing the width of the shoulders, while at the same time narrowing the waist. Peaked lapels come to a point at the edge of the lapel, where they point up towards the shoulders. This style of lapel is very business-like and formal. It’s never casual.

They give the suit and the wearer a definite air of power and authority. A narrow width looks wrong with this lapel, and too wide is incorrect also. The best width is between three and a half to four and a half inches.

Where to Wear Peaked Lapel Suits?

Peaked lapels look great on single or double-breasted suits. They can also be seen on morning coats, dinner jackets, and tailcoats. In modern times, they’ve also become part of corporate wear and are often found on single-breasted, two-button jackets. This is known in the world of global corporations as ‘power dressing,’ and they make a very real presence in boardrooms around the world.

A peaked lapel is very difficult for tailors to adjust because the angle of the peak has to be just right. Which is why you should always check that the lapel is shaped the way you want it before you make a purchase. Maybe this sounds like just a minor detail, but remember that the lapel forms a frame for your chest and face area, and if the proportions are wrong it can look strange.

A peaked lapel should always be the choice of shorter men. Those who are on the large side should wear a peaked lapel suits, too.It gives the illusion of making you taller and slimmer. It’s perhaps not the best choice for very tall men. They will certainly get attention and exude confidence.

The Shawl Lapel

Shawl lapels are worn as a part of evening-wear and are a more formal and lavish alternative to the peak lapel. They evolved from the early Victorian smoking jackets which back then were long, loose, gown type garments that served to protect the wearer from smoke and ash while they smoked.

The shawl lapel was later relocated to the tuxedo as we know it today. It has no notches or peaks. Instead, it has an uninterrupted round edge, which is joined in a seam at the back of the neck. It’s a continuous piece of material stretching from the collar and tapering off at the buttonhole.

Where to Wear Shawl Lapel Suits?

Available in various widths, a narrow style lapel will appear trendier. On the other hand, broader shawl lapels give you a more classic look. Usually seen on formal jackets and worn for high-end occasions and events, the collar is manufactured from a different fabric to that of the jacket, such as satin. The shawl lapel is almost always black, but white shawls on white jackets are not entirely unheard of either.

But as with any style rules, lapel rules get broken too. Some designers have been known to stitch a shawl collar onto quite informal linen blazers, for example. Mostly though, they’re not suitable for casual occasions or even for business wear, and are best kept for those very formal functions.

Lapel Width

In general, the widest point of the lapel should lie approximately at the mid-point of the shoulder seam and beginning of the lapel. The style of lapel you pick depends on the look you’re trying to achieve, and we’d always recommend avoiding extremes if a timeless and elegant look is your goal.

Like with most things in life, you can’t go wrong with moderation and balance. Although you won’t stand out from the crowd and be showy, you’ll certainly always look professional and classy. The width of your lapel should correspond to your body shape and size. Here’s a general rule of thumb:

The slim lapel of about 2.5″ goes with chest sizes up to 38″.

Regular lapels of about 3” or slightly more go with a chest size of between 36″ and 50″.

A wider lapel of 3.5″ or wider goes with chest size over 40″.

What About Ties?

Some say that the width of your tie and the width of your lapel need to match. We tend to disagree. A slight difference between them isn’t going to be noticed. However, we would recommend you choose a tie that is a similar width to your lapels, just to keep everything evenly balanced and nicely in proportion.

The tie width should be similar to your build, so slim gents can wear skinny ties, but big, broad football players definitely should not be sporting narrow lapels and ties.

After reading this article we’re willing to bet that you’ll pay more attention to the lapels on your jackets and what effect they have on your overall style, and we hope it’s been helpful in helping you choose the right lapel for the occasion.